Depuis combien de temps chante-t-elle dans cette chorale?
It seems to me that it makes sense just as
Depuis combien de temps chante elle dans cette chorale?
but I assume the -t- adds something. Any idea?
Thanks.
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Update: Apparently, it's just inserted to make the sentence sound better. I found this on the Word Reference forums.
"(T)he -t-il /-t-elle form (question or inverted ) is called a euphonic T , used as a kind of liaison (analogical liaison) because of the phonetical hiatus caused by two vowels....."
which I'd have with the trailing e of the verb (I'm thinking that's key, here) Chante and the starting e of the next word, Elle.
There's also a Wiki reference (of course!)
Interesting.
8 comments:
Ahhhh...
Hard "t", I think.
Long time since I did French. And I only took the class because the teacher was cute, and hot. :-D
Best reason I know of to take the language....
Let me try that again - accidental delete. I second the "hard t." A really common example would be "comment s'appelle-t-elle," - the t just makes it possible to actually say ithe phrase after a few drinks.
A noble goal, and one which humanizes the French in my eyes!
That question made my head turn inside out. I've not thought about that in a long, long time! :)
You still know way more French than me, G. But I'm enjoying learning this stuff. I like Rosetta Stone, but clearly -- to me, anyway -- it'd be a better product if they offered a grammar supplement.
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